Handgun Pouch Holster

ABSTRACT

A concealed carry weapon belt pouch for carrying a small firearm in a concealment pouch clipped to a wearer&#39;s waist belt. The pouch comprising a pouch body with integral spring tensioned handgun holster, a pouch cover flap with quick release fastener, and a spring tensioned belt clip. The pouch can be easily clipped and un-clipped from the belt with a spring clip. A flap covers the pouch opening while simultaneously holding the integral spring tensioned handgun holster portion of the pouch closed. Upon releasing the pouch flap the spring tensioned handgun holster tilts outward allowing easy access to the firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to holsters and morespecifically relates to a holster used in handgun concealed carry.

2. Description of Related Art

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely knownor forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Pistol holsters have been in use since the early invention of thehandheld firearm with the general purpose of providing a means to secureand protect the weapon while simultaneously providing ready access toit.

In modern times the handgun holster has evolved to meet the needs ofmilitary, government, law enforcement, and individual needs. As of theapplication for this invention, every state has implemented lawsgoverning individuals carrying a firearm for personal protection. Theselaws dictate the manner in which firearms or weapons can be carried.There are two general categories describing how a weapon can be carriedand the holster or weapon displayed on the individual; “open carry”where the holster and firearm is openly displayed and clearly visible,and “concealed carry” where the holster and firearm are carried in sucha manner that they are not visible or recognized as a firearm or itsholster.

“Open carry” holsters include but are not limited to, western or“cowboy” holsters, military sidearm holsters, law enforcement beltholsters, and a variety of holsters typically designed to be worn upon aindividual's belt in plain view of the public.

“Concealed carry” holsters generally fall into six categories based uponhow or where they are worn; inside the waistband, outside the waistband,in the pocket, under the arm, ankle holsters, and the disguised pouchholster. Each category generally describes where the holster is carriedout of sight except the last category wherein the holster is in plainsight but disguised in such a way that the handgun is not visible andthe holster or firearm pouch does not readily reveal its contents. Theseconcealed carry handgun pouches tend to fall into two generalsubcategories; holster pouches in purses such as a ladies purse or aman's fanny pack, and enclosed and disguised holster pouches worn uponthe belt typically disguised as mobile phone or mini computer pouches.The present invention is of this last concealed carry category; aconcealed carry handgun pouch designed to clip to a wearer's belt.

Conceal carry belt worn handgun pouches balance a few advantages againsta few disadvantages one of which has the potential to being critical.First and foremost the pouch must be large enough to totally encase thehandgun yet as small as possible to be easily worn. Additionally thepouch must encase the handgun sufficiently to have a means to secure thehandgun and completely cover it from public view. This has resulted inthe primary disadvantage of the concealed carry pouch; accessability tothe handgun.

Handguns are designed to be grasped by the pistol grip with the handwrapping around the entire circumference of the grip. This grippingaction is made possible by the human's opposable thumb. Small pouchesholding the handgun securely in place result in the handgun's grippressed firmly against the holster making it difficult or impossible forthe thumb to slip between the pistol grip and the holster. This makesaccess to the entire circumference of the pistol grip either extremelydifficult or impossible necessitating the handgun to be partially drawnfrom the holster with the individuals fingers before a fullcircumference grip is possible. This action can potentially negate theself defense capability of the belt worn concealed carry pouch. In thecrises of a self defense situation the handgun can be fumbled or droppedin the rush to draw the weapon. Additionally, proper grip of the handgunis necessary for accuracy in shooting.

Numerous means of attaching holsters and pouches to a wearer's belt areavailable. They typically fall into two general categories; pass throughloops, and tensioned clips. Pass through loops hold the pouch mostsecurely but require the wearer to lose his belt to either install orremove the pouch. This can quickly become tedious or limiting as theindividual steps into and out of an automobile where the pouch can beinconvenient to wear because of the automobile's seat belt. Tensionedclips are typically less secure but allow the individual to easilyattach or detach the pouch from the belt.

Various inventors have attempted to create a solution to the concealedcarry handgun belt pouch:

Stava (5,584,424) presents a concealed carry handgun belt pouch that isrepresentative of the typical art with similar limitations as listedabove. The gun is holstered in a generally vertical fashion held inplace by either a holster or straps. Either method leaves the handle ofthe handgun in contact with the pouch creating the same potentiallimitations in drawing the handgun as describe above. The nature of thezipper closure attachment to the pouch body creates an additionalbarrier that must be passed in order to access the guns handle. Thezipper closure represents a potential snag hazard as the handgun isdrawn upwards out of the holster and past the zipper. A zipper closurealso adds a complex closure method that can potentially increase thetime necessary for accessing the handgun. Finally, the number of partsnecessary to produce the pouch increases its cost and complexity.

Parton (5,495,967) presents a purse version of the concealed carry pouchemploying a complex mult-part spring loaded opening system where aseperate holster is located within the revealed cavity and attached withhook and loop fastener material oriented in a general horizontal mode.Included within the purse design are multiple compartments substantiallyadding to the size and bulk of the purse. A purse by its very naturelimits its use to those who carry purses.

Volpei (5,294,031) presents a fanny pack discreet pistol pouch designedfor handguns with a separate holster attached to the interior with hookand loop fastener material in a generally horizontal orientation. Withits attached belt and extra pockets this concealed carry solution islarger than the concealed carry handgun belt pouch of the presentinvention. Additionally, the Volpei invention uses interlockable plasticzipper to close the pouch thus suffering the same inherent limitationsas Stava.

DeSantis (4,966,320) presents a fanny pack simulated pistol pouchsimilar to Volpei with a separate holster attached to the interior withhook and loop fastener material generally horizontal in orientation.Although similar to Volpei a different manner of opening and closure ispresented with the preferred embodiment relying upon hook and loopfabric.

Each of the above samples of prior art face distinct limitations.Parton, Volpei, and DeSantis each present options that are substantialin size with the handgun orientation in a generally horizontal mode.Volpei and DeSantis each present a pouch design that would be considereda “fanny pack” with the primary difference between the two being theclosure method; zipper versus hook and loop. Both of these inventionsnecessitate the pouch being significantly larger than the encasedhandgun. Additionally, Parton, Volpei and DeSantis each rely upon theflexibility of the fabric pouch to create a means for the wearer toinsert their hand in such a manner as to gain a complete circumferencegrasp of the handgun's grip. Additionally, Parton, Volpei, and DeSantiseach rely upon separate holsters and straps typically attached to thepouch with hook and loop fabric to hold the handgun in place increasingthe complexity, number of parts, and manufacturing expense. Stavapresents a smaller belt worn pouch with the handgun in a generallyvertical orientation with a zipper closure similar to Volpei. Release ofthe zipper and thus the opening of the pouch is dependent upon graspingthe zipper closure head or a loop of cord attached to it and drawing itsufficiently along the length of the zipper in order to obtain anopening large enough to insert one's hand to withdraw the handgun. Thisrequires the wearer to quickly locate the zipper head or cord in a highstress self defense situation. It should appear obvious that there is adirect relationship between the time it takes to pull a zipper open andthe length of the zipper, especially when the zipper is closing threesides of the pouch. This limitation, along with the handgun's grip beinggenerally held against the pouch creates a concealed carry handgun pouchwith limitations.

In these respects, the current invention departs from the conventionalconcepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides aconcealed carry handgun belt pouch providing a bare minimum size pouchthat securely holds the handgun in a generally vertical orientation witha pouch cover than can be gripped anywhere along its three exposed edgesto quickly open the pouch. Upon opening the pouch the handgun's springtensioned integral holster pivots outward away from the pouch bodyproviding access to the complete circumference of the pistol gripallowing the wearer to easily grasp the handgun's grip for a fast andsecure draw of the weapon. The current invention also provides for atensioned clip that both secures the pouch to a belt but allows for easyattachment and removal of the pouch from the wearer's belt. The uniquewedge-shape of the base of the clip allows the clip to easily slidebetween the wearers pants and the belt. An additional and unintendedbenefit is that this wedge resists the inadvertent un-clipping of thepouch from the belt. Together, the simplicity of the invention, theminimal number of parts necessary to form the invention, the ease inopening the pouch cover, the spring tensioned pivoting holster, and theunique belt clip enabling quick but secure attachment and detachmentfrom a wearer's belt, presents a unique and superior concealed carryhandgun belt pouch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofconcealed carry handgun belt pouches now present in prior art, thepresent invention provides a new concealed carry handgun pouch that hasmany of the advantages of typical concealed carry handgun belt pouchesand many novel features that result in a new concealed carry handgunbelt pouch which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, oreven implied by any of the prior art concealed carry handgun beltpouches, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a formed pouchbody holster combination, a pouch cover, and a belt clip where theholster portion of the pouch body is tensioned in such a way that whenthe pouch is opened, the holster and gun tilt outward allowing thewearer to grip the handgun with a full circumference grip.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not beregarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a concealedcarry handgun belt pouch that will overcome the shortcomings of priorart devices.

A second object is to provide a concealed carry handgun belt pouch thatprovides a secure means of carrying a handgun yet allows for a completecircumference grip of the handgun's grip when drawing the firearm.

An additional object is to provide a concealed carry handgun belt poucheasily attached and detached from the wearer's belt.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this inventionmay be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings,attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described within the scope of the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention includinglocation of the handgun.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention includingcomponents.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the present invention showing thepouch closed.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention of the pouch bodytemplate.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention with the flap open.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention with the flap closed.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the present invention of the pouchbelt clip.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the present invention of the pouch belt clip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 8 illustrate a concealed carry handgun belt pouch, whichcomprises a pouch body 1 with integral tension loaded holster 8 holdinga handgun in a generally vertical orientation, with a pouch cover 2, anda tension loaded belt clip 3.

B. Pouch Body With Integral Tension Loaded Holster

Pouch Body 1 is preferably comprised of material with high memory suchas but not limited to thermoplastics such as Kydex. Pouch body 1 withintegral tension loaded holster 8 can be created from a single piece ofhigh memory semi rigid material cut in a manner similar but notexclusively as demonstrated in FIG. 4 where 5 and 6 are bent upwards ata 90 degree angle forming the sides of the pouch body 1. Bottom 7 isbent upwards forming the bottom of the pouch body while simultaneouslybecoming part of the spring tension component of the integral tensionloaded holster 8. Integral tension loaded holster 8 is bent upwards from7 at some angle typically but not limited to an angle greater than 45degrees but less than 90 degrees. This angle as shown in FIG. 5 tiltsthe holster and handgun out away from the pouch allowing the wearer toeasily draw the handgun with a complete circumference grip.

In FIG. 4 panels 9, 10, 11, and 12 are each folded inward atapproximately 90 degree angles to wrap around the handgun forming theintegral tension loaded holster 8 of the pouch body 1. It is understoodthat high memory materials such as thermoplastics when heated canactually be molded to form a custom fit holster.

C. Pouch Cover With Fastening Device

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 illustrate the pouch cover 2 preferablycomprised of a flexible material such as but not limited to leather,attached to pouch body 1 in such a manner as to allow pouch cover 2 totightly cover pouch body 1 drawing the integral tension loaded holster 8tightly against pouch body 1 as shown in FIGS. 3 & 6, and thus holdingthe present invention closed through a quick release fastening devicesuch as but not limited to a snap fastener, 4 a and 4 b.

D. Spring Tensioned Pouch Belt Clip

The spring tensioned pouch belt clip is preferably comprised of a highmemory material such as but not limited to thermoplastics such as Kydex.FIGS. 7 and 8 show a one piece clip where the material is bent in such away as to form a loop through which a belt might pass. 16 is themounting plate attachment point to the pouch body 1 and is attached withany appropriate attachment method such as but not limited to, adhesives,rivets, bolts, or screws. The upper bent portion 15 provides the tensionspring action for the belt clip 3. The base of the clip 17 is bentupwards in such a way to create a wedge shape thus securely closing theclip around the wearer's belt. Press release 14 is bent in such a mannerthat pressure upon press release 14 causes the back of the clip 19 tomove out and away from the mounting plate 16 thus creating an openingbetween mounting plate 16 and wedge base 17 allowing easy attachment orremoval from a wearer's belt.

The unique and subtle wedge shaped design feature of having the base ofclip 17 extend past the leading edge of mounting plate 16 creates anunexpected disproportionate increase in the effective holding power ofthe clip not seen in other spring tension clips since the open edge of17 is buried or hidden under the material edge of mounting plate 16.

E. In Use

The wearer inserts handgun into integral tension loaded holster 8 asshown in FIG. 1. Pouch cover 2 is pulled tightly down over the handgundrawing the integral tension loaded holster 8 inward until it is tightlypressed against the back of the pouch body 1 as shown in FIGS. 3 & 6 andcover 2 is secured to integral tension loaded holster 8 with a quickrelease fastening device 4 a-4 b.

Concealed carry handgun belt pouch can now be easily attached or removedfrom a wearer's belt with spring tensioned pouch belt clip 3 by pressingpress release 14 inward causing belt clip 3 to open allowing the wedgeshaped portion 18 & 17 of the belt clip to easily slide between thewearer's belt and their pants. Upon release of press release 14 thespring tension created by 15 causes the clip to return to its closedstate thus capturing the belt securely and resisting any upward movementof the pouch due to the unique wedge shape of the clip.

When necessary to quickly draw the handgun from the concealed carryhandgun belt pouch, the wearer simply grasps any of the three exposededges of pouch cover 2 and with a simple tug releases the quick releasefastener 4 a-4 b. The pouch cover 2 easily lifts out of the way as theintegral tension loaded holster 8 pushes away from the pouch body 1 toits tensioned position angling the grip of the handgun outward and awayfrom the pouch body 1 so that the wearer can easily grasp the handgun ina full circumference grip and quickly draw the handgun in a safe andcontrolled manner ready for immediate use as shown in FIGS. 3 & 5.

What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodimentof the invention along with some of its variations. The terms,descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way ofillustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in theart will recognize that many variations are possible within the spiritand scope of the invention, which is intended to be defined by thefollowing claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant intheir broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headingsutilized within the description are for convenience only and have nolegal or limiting effect.

I claim:
 1. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch comprising: a pouchwith spring tension loaded holster where the holster can be heldsecurely against the pouch body until released; a integral springtension loaded holster where upon release the holster moves the grip ofthe handgun away from the pouch body for easy grasping of the pistolgrip in a full circumference grip. a pouch cover with quick releasefastener; a means to attach pouch to a belt or strap.
 2. A concealedcarry handgun belt pouch of claim 1 wherein the integral spring tensionloaded holster pivots the handgun outward using a generally horizontal(x axis) rotation.
 3. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 1wherein the integral spring tension loaded holster pivots the handgunoutward using a generally vertical (y axis) rotation.
 4. A concealedcarry handgun belt pouch of claim 1 wherein the integral spring tensionloaded holster pivots the handgun outward using a generally rotary (zaxis) rotation.
 5. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 1 witha spring tensioned pouch belt clip.
 6. A concealed carry handgun beltpouch of claim 2 with a spring tensioned pouch belt clip.
 7. A concealedcarry handgun belt pouch of claim 3 with a spring tensioned pouch beltclip.
 8. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 4 with a springtensioned pouch belt clip.
 9. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch ofclaim 1 with a spring tensioned pouch belt clip where said clip has anintegral tab to facilitate the opening and closing of the clip, and thatthe lower edge of the flexible part of the clip is generally wedgedshaped and extends inward to a point beyond the bottom edge of the clipsmounting surface.
 10. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 2with a spring tensioned pouch belt clip where said clip has an integraltab to facilitate the opening and closing of the clip, and that thelower edge of the flexible part of the clip is generally wedged shapedand extends inward to a point beyond the bottom edge of the clipsmounting surface.
 11. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 3with a spring tensioned pouch belt clip where said clip has an integraltab to facilitate the opening and closing of the clip, and that thelower edge of the flexible part of the clip is generally wedged shapedand extends inward to a point beyond the bottom edge of the clipsmounting surface.
 12. A concealed carry handgun belt pouch of claim 4with a spring tensioned pouch belt clip where said clip has an integraltab to facilitate the opening and closing of the clip, and that thelower edge of the flexible part of the clip is generally wedged shapedand extends inward to a point beyond the bottom edge of the clipsmounting surface.